The Walt Disney Company on Tuesday named Josh D’Amaro, the longtime chairman of its highly profitable Disney Experiences division, as its next chief executive officer, bringing an end to years of succession uncertainty and placing a seasoned insider at the helm as the entertainment giant navigates streaming challenges, artificial intelligence disruptions, and industry consolidation.
The announcement, made February 3, 2026, followed a unanimous vote by the board of directors the previous day and will take effect at the company’s annual shareholder meeting on March 18. D’Amaro, 54, a 28-year Disney veteran, succeeds Robert A. Iger, 74, who returned to the role in late 2022 after a brief retirement and has guided the company through a turbulent period marked by activist investor pressure, cost-cutting measures, and strategic pivots. Iger praised D’Amaro as “an exceptional leader and the right person to become our next CEO,” committing to support the transition while stepping aside earlier than his previously extended contract through the end of 2026.
The selection caps a closely watched leadership contest that began in earnest after Iger’s comeback, which followed the board’s abrupt ouster of his initial successor, Bob Chapek, in 2022 amid criticism over creative decisions, theme-park operations, and corporate governance. Analysts and investors had long viewed D’Amaro as a frontrunner, buoyed by the robust performance of Disney Experiences—the company’s largest revenue segment, generating $36 billion in fiscal 2025 and employing 185,000 cast members worldwide.
Under D’Amaro’s leadership since 2020, the division—encompassing theme parks, resorts, cruises, consumer products, and retail—has delivered record financial results, driven by major expansions including new lands at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the launch of the Disney Wish and upcoming Treasure cruise ships, and innovative guest experiences. The parks business has consistently outpaced other segments, providing a reliable profit engine amid struggles in linear television and streaming losses at Disney+.
A Parks-Centric Leader for a Diversified Empire
D’Amaro’s elevation reflects the board’s confidence in a leader deeply rooted in the company’s heritage of immersive storytelling and guest satisfaction rather than Hollywood production expertise. Unlike Iger, whose tenure was defined by blockbuster acquisitions—Pixar in 2006, Marvel in 2009, Lucasfilm in 2012, and most of 21st Century Fox in 2019—D’Amaro has spent his career in operations, rising through roles in Disneyland Paris, Disney Cruise Line, and domestic parks before assuming the Experiences chairmanship.
Industry observers note potential challenges ahead. D’Amaro’s relative unfamiliarity with film, television, and streaming could require close collaboration with creative executives as Disney balances content investment with profitability goals. The company has faced criticism for underperforming theatrical releases and subscriber churn in streaming, though recent hits and cost reductions have improved margins.
In a parallel move, the board named Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, as president and chief creative officer. Walden, a veteran television executive who oversaw Hulu and key content partnerships, will focus on creative strategy across film, television, and streaming, complementing D’Amaro’s operational strengths.
Disney Names Parks Boss Josh D’Amaro as New CEO to Replace Bob Iger
The appointment of D’Amaro, often described as a “company man” with deep institutional knowledge, signals a desire for stability after years of upheaval. Iger’s second stint stabilized the company through layoffs, divestitures of noncore assets, and a renewed emphasis on quality over quantity in content creation. He has positioned Disney for what he called a “new golden age,” with upcoming releases including major Marvel and Star Wars projects, alongside continued parks investment.
Wall Street reacted positively to the news, with Disney shares rising in after-hours trading as investors welcomed the resolution of succession drama and the choice of a proven profit generator. Analysts from firms like MoffettNathanson and Wells Fargo highlighted D’Amaro’s track record in driving guest satisfaction and revenue growth, viewing the parks division’s strength as a buffer against media volatility.
Yet questions remain about how D’Amaro will address ongoing challenges: intensifying competition from Universal’s Epic Universe opening near Orlando, the integration of AI in content creation and guest experiences, and potential regulatory scrutiny over media consolidation. Disney’s streaming segment, while narrowing losses, still trails rivals like Netflix in profitability per subscriber.
Legacy of Transformation and New Horizons
Iger’s legacy is one of bold expansion that transformed Disney from a family entertainment company into a global powerhouse. His acquisitions created franchises that dominate box offices and consumer culture, while his return in 2022 quelled investor unrest and restored confidence. In handing the reins to D’Amaro, Iger emphasized continuity, noting the new CEO’s role in leading “the largest global expansion in Disney Experiences history” and achieving “new heights financially, creatively, and in guest satisfaction.”
For D’Amaro, the transition offers both opportunity and risk. He inherits a company with iconic brands, vast intellectual property, and a loyal global fan base, but also one grappling with shifting consumer habits, cord-cutting, and economic pressures on discretionary spending. His parks background may prove advantageous in an era where experiential entertainment—live events, theme parks, cruises—grows faster than traditional media.
The board’s decision, led by Chairman James Gorman, who brought his experience from Morgan Stanley’s successful CEO transitions, aims to avoid the pitfalls of the Chapek era, when internal clashes and public missteps eroded shareholder value. By choosing an internal candidate with broad operational experience, Disney appears to prioritize execution and culture over a high-profile outsider.
As D’Amaro prepares to assume the role, the focus will shift to his vision for integrating the company’s diverse businesses—from blockbuster films and ESPN sports rights to immersive park attractions and emerging technologies like AI-driven personalization. Early indications suggest continuity in strategy, with emphasis on high-quality storytelling, guest experience innovation, and disciplined capital allocation.
The announcement brings closure to a chapter defined by Iger’s outsized influence while opening another under a leader shaped by Disney’s core ethos of magic and wonder. Whether D’Amaro can sustain the momentum Iger restored—and navigate an increasingly complex media landscape—will define Disney’s trajectory in the years ahead.
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